BORUSAN PIPE

Born in 1924 in the Tazlar Village of Afyon, Asım Kocabıyık completed primary school and the first two years of middle school in Afyon and the last year of middle school in Istanbul and high school in Istanbul High School. In 1947, he graduated from the School of Economics at Istanbul University.

Asım Kocabıyık, whose business life ran parallel to Türkiye’s industrialization story, took part in 1944 while still a student as founding partner and board member at İstikbal Ticaret T.A.Ş., established by his father, entrepreneur Ahmet Kocabıyık. He served for a total of 57 years including 8 years as board member and 49 years as board chairman at İstikbal Ticaret A.Ş., which started by importing iron and steel agricultural products. The company, foundations of which were laid down by Asım Kocabıyık together with his father, constituted the core of what is Borusan Group today.

Kocabıyık entered the industry sector in 1958 with 27 employees when he established the first industrial enterprise of the Borusan Group, Borusan Pipe, becoming the founder of Borusan Group, which incorporates various industrial enterprises and carries out major distributorship operations with nearly 9,000 employees today.

Kocabıyık explained his social responsibility activities, particularly focused on education, as “I owe a debt of service to my country. That’s what I am trying to fulfill.” He carried out important social work in education, culture, arts and the environment until his death.

Asım Kocabıyık was also among the founders of Türkiye Family Health and Planning Foundation, the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA), Education Volunteers Foundation, Turkish Music Foundation, and Afyon Education Foundation. He served for 24 years in the board of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry and 15 years in the board of TÜSİAD and for 4 years as the President of the Economic Development Foundation.

Asım Kocabıyık was bestowed honorary doctorates by various institutions of higher education and particularly Istanbul University. Kocabıyık was the recipient of the State Order of Merit and Order of Chivalry granted by the Italian Government.